Luke McCall, Santa Tracker volunteer, NORAD

For most of the year, Petty Officer Luke McCall serves as a mass communications specialist in the sunny climes of Hawaii with the US Navy. But this Christmas, he’s traded warm beaches for snowy Colorado Springs to volunteer with the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) beloved Santa Tracker operation.

Each year, NORAD’s Santa Tracker combines cutting-edge technology and the festive spirit of volunteers to monitor Santa’s magical journey around the world on Christmas Eve, delighting children by fielding millions of their questions.

McCall shares how this heartwarming tradition began in 1955 when a misprinted ad accidentally directed kids to NORAD’s predecessor, sparking a legacy of holiday cheer that’s lasted ever since.

Over coffee — plain for him, gingerbread-flavoured for us — McCall delves into the workings of this festive mission, fuelled by dedicated local volunteers, tech sponsors, mince pies, and plenty of Christmas tunes!